Hand operating device for automobiles



June 3 1924.

J. P. THOMPSON HAND OPERATI NG DEVICE .FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Oqt. a, 1923 Patented clune 3, 1924;

meant orrlca.

JAMES P THOMPSON. OF ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA.

HAND OlERATING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed October 6, "1923. Serial No. 667,009.

Elizabeth City, in the county of Pasquotank 1 and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand Operating Devices for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automobiles, and particularly to operating equipment there- One object of the invention is to provide an operating equipment for automobiles which shall enable the operatorto drive and control an automobile including shifting the gears, and operating the clutch and brake, entirely by the use of his hands.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device that can be readily attached to automobiles now in use without necessitating any alterations in their present operating equipment other than simply applying the present invention thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which will approach the maximum of simplicity and ease of installation and operation.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of an embodiment of the invention particularly designed for the operation of Ford automobiles;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawings the reference numeral 1 indicates a suitable frame support which may conveniently be of substantial U-shape, consisting of the side bars 2 provided at their lower ends with feet 3 having therein holes adapted to receive suitable securing means which may conveniently be round-head wood screws, though the invention is not limited to this means of attachment. The

'tively close together.

feet 3 are placed upon the toe-board of an automobile and are attached thereto by means of said round-head wood screws or other suitable attaching means.

The side bars 2 are connected across their tops by a cross piece 4, which is preferably integral with said side bars 2 and cast therewith. The cross piece 4 is suitably bent as shown at 5 to receive and fit around a steering column on an automobile. A

clamp member 6, also suitably curved to,

receive and fit the steering column is removably secured to the cross piece 4 by means of bolts 7 or other suitable means.

By securing the frame support 1 at the bottom to the toe-board of the automobile and at the top to the steering column, there is provided an effective rigid mounting for said frame support.

Passing through the side bars 2 in a substantially horizontal position is the assembly rod 8. Pivotally mounted upon the assembly rod 8 are the operating levers 9 and 10 which .are suitably bent as shown in the drawings and provided on their upper ends withhand gripping portions 11 and 12, and at their lower ends with pedal engaging lugs 13, 14 and 15, the lug 13 being provided' on the lever 9, and the lugs 14 and 15 being provided on the lever 10. The lower endof the lever 10 may be bent upwardly as shown at 16 to meet the assembly rod 8, and may conveniently be pivoted thereto, for example, within the supporting frame, thereby insuring a greater degree of rigidity.

It will be observed from an inspection of Fig/1 that the lugs 13 and 14 are rela- Both of these lugs are adapted for engagement with the clutch pedal-of an automobile. The lug 15 is adapted for engagement with the brake pedal.

vThej operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows:

When it is desired to throw out the clutch to shiftthe gears, this is accomplished by pedal and throws out the clutch. When the Cir gears have been shifted the operator moves the lever 9 away from him, which allows the lug 13 to let in the clutch.

WVhen it is desired to release the clutch. and put on the brake to'stop the automobile, the operator moves toward him the lever 10. This gives the lugs 14 and l5 a forward 111OVQ1116I117111 which the lug 14 engages the clutch pedal and the lug 15 engages the brake pedal. :As theselugs move forward the lug 1 1 throws out the clutch and the lug 15 puts on the brake,'.thereby stopping the automobile. A reverse move ment of the lever 10 releases the brake and letsin'the clutch- I 5 Referring to Figs. -3" and 4t,- th ;.U-sh'aped frame 20 may conveniently be the 'sa nf e in construction as -theframe shown 'in Figs. 1

and 2. 1 The levers" 21 and; 122 -pivotally mounted on the assembly rod -8, ;and are shown as being mounted outside-theframe. The levers 21" andr'22 are each provided-at their lower ends with downwardlyextend- 'ing glugs, the lever 21' having the lug 23 to engagethe clutch pedal of a Ford a tomo bile, and the lever 22having the lug 24 toengage'thebrake' pedal. J

, There the invention is to be used to operate Ford automobiles, an additional lever, 25, is mounted on the assemblyrod 8, and is held in position thereon, for example, by the spacing sleeves 26 'and27. The lever is provided at its bottomywith ther' p edal engaging po1'tion'28', designed to eng'agethe reversing olutehpedal of a 'lTo'rd automobile, located between the forward clutch pedal and the brakepedal. g 1' .I p a The operation of theronstruction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is as follows: I i I hen it is desiredto let in the clutch to start the car, the operator pullsthelever 21 toward him, the lug 23 engaging the clutch pedal and moving it forwardly into low gear. 'VVhen the car hasgatheredsufficient headway, the operator moves the lever 21 away fromhim, orallows-it to so move, under the action of the clutch pedal, which, when released, will move rearwardly into high gear. The foot brake -is controlledby the lever 22, whieh -is moved toward the operator to put'on the brake and away from him= to release it "'When it-is desired to stop the car,-the'lever 21'ismoved into neutral positionythus' throwing butfthe clutch, and-the lever" 22u'nay be -operated. The reversingglut'chis operated by the lever 25, -Whioh i-s'e moved to actuate the brake.

toward the operator to throw in the clutch and? away fromd 'im eas-Ismitg- It wiltbs 's enfthateare;present; nvena e-a as readilv a'ttaehe on said seaport-,-

with a single movement, all by the use of his hands. In the case of a Ford automobile three levers are preferably used, and by operating them as above described the forward and reverseclutches and the foot brake may be readily artuated by the driver entirely by the use of his hands.

lVhat is claimed is 1.. I

1. A hand operating device for automobiles comprising a frame support, means for clamping said frame support to the steeringacolummiand securing it to the toeboard of an automobile, a lever pivoted to said frame support on each= side thereof, one ofsaid levers having means for engagthe 'oth'er of: said levershaving means for en gaging 'both clutch and brake pedals; v

23A hand; operating device for automo bilescomprising a frame} support, hand leversg- -pivoted thereom-"one of saiddevers having means for engaging thevo'lutch pedal ofan automobile, and the other- 0f said levers having means for engaging both rlutch and-brake pedals. 1 1 3. A; hand operating device for automobiles comprisingaframe support, means for securing said support to-the steeringcolumr. ofan automobile, a hand lever pivoted to said support on each side thereof, one'of said'levers having a-bottom lug for engagement with the clutch pedal of an automobile, and the other of -said "levers having two bottom lugs for engaging respectively the clutch; and brake pedals simultaneously.

41A hand operating device-*for automobiles noniprising a frame-support, means forclamping' said support to the'steering column of an automobile, a cluteh pedal engaging lever and a clutch and brake pedal engaging lever. both of said levers -being pivotally associated with said frame supy 1 i 5; A hand operating device for automobiles comprising a frame si1pport,;means for securing said support to the steering column and toe-board of an automobile, a clutch pedal I engaging lever-"pivotally mounted on one side of said support, and a '-cl-1.1tcli and brake pedal engaging lever pivotally mounted on the other side of said pp r i.

-6 ."-.-A hand operating .devioe'for automo biles, comprising a U sha-ped frame' suppdrtpmea ns for securing said support to the steering Column and toe-board or an automobile. afelutch pedal operating-lever and a'-elutch. brakepedal 5 operating lever, both of said leversbeing pivotally mounted '1 A" hand operating device for automoblisesm rising ey-ugimped frame --s; ppm-t adapted to" be: clamped to the steering eol u'mn," and levers :p'iv'otall'y associated therewith, one of said levers having means for actuating the clutch pedal and the other having means for actuating both clutch and brake pedals.

8. A hand operating device for automo- 5 biles comprising a frame support, means for securing said support to the toe board of an automobile, means for attaching said support to the steering column of an automobile, and levers pivotally associated with said support intermediate said toe board securing means and said steering column attaching means for actuating the clutch and brake pedals of said automobile.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES P. THOMPSON. 

